Their back-to-school dinner was hailed as the last cookout. There were burgers, hot dogs, steaks with all the sides, fried okra, squash, coleslaw, and more, spread buffet style across the large dining room table. Shaggy and Scooby were already drooling mentally claiming the best of the offerings when the kids were herded into the dining room seats while the adults dished up plates. Christina sat between Shaggy and Melinda.
"It doesn't bug you, right?" Shaggy asked her when he was handed his plate, the rare meat the center of the dish.
"No," Christina promised, taking a bite of her macaroni and cheese, "Mmm"
Shaggy dug into his plate with gusto. Practically inhaling it.
"Norville," his mother scolded, "Slow down and chew your food"
"Yes, Mommy"
Melinda giggled slightly, picking at the food on her plate curiously. There were so many foods she'd never had, "Christy," she tugged quietly on Christina's sleeve.
"Yeah?"
"How do you um-" she nodded at the hot dog on her plate.
Because it was smothered in toppings that would cause it to fall apart, Christina took Melinda's silverware and showed her how to cut it up.
"Why don't you have any meat?"
"I don't like meat, it makes me grumpy"
"Oh," Melinda felt her face grow warm with embarrassment but the question had been bothering her, Christina often ate the sides or something else entirely.
"It's okay," Christina smiled, "It's a fair question"
Melinda was able to shake off her embarrassment when the adults wanted to know about the first day of school. As tired as she was it was nice to fade into the background a bit, eating a second helping and even thirds no one batted an eye. This food was much, much better than bananas and nuts.
I really like it here.
...
"Christina, you're going to stain your shirt," Vana gently warned, watching her niece shovel her hot fudge sundae into her mouth.
"Sorry," she apologized, gulping it down, "It's very good"
"Agreed!" the children chorused, their sundaes in various stages of being eaten.
Only when the last morsel had been scrapped from the bowls did everyone stand, Maleficent declaring it was time for her to go.
"Already?" Christina sadly asked.
"Yes"
"Okay"
Everyone followed Maleficent to the parlor where she opened the portal home. Christina rushed forward to hug her.
Maleficent hugged Christina again, about enter the portal and return home, then reached into her robes.
"One last gift for you, my little Love-Bat", she said, and handed the little hybrid an egg the size of a casketball; it was black with blue and purple flame-like swirls on it. And it was beginning to hatch!
"Is this...?", Christina asked in gleeful hope.
"Is that...?!", Dracula sputtered in horror as the shell burst open!
The hatchling dragon was purple & blue with black markings. It yawned, opened its amethyst eyes, and cooed at Christina as it began to lick her giggling face!
"It is indeed, and he's bonded to you now. Nothing can change that", Maleficent smirked, arching an amused eyebrow at the steaming mad Count.
"Thankyou-thankyou-thankyou-thankyou, Grammy!", the deliriously happy Christina squealed, hugging her again; carefully though, as she was still holding her new pet.
"Well good night, All", Maleficent said cheerily, then stepped through the portal; which closed right behind her.
"WAIT A MINUTE! MALEFICENT! HOW DARE YOU...! AAAAUUUURGH!", Dracula roared, then stormed off to his study.
"Christina," Vana caught her niece's attention, "Take him upstairs and introduce him to the others, okay?"
"Yes, Aunt Vana," Christina giggled.
"Can we come with you?" Shaggy asked, peering curiously at his friend's newest baby, he'd only ever seen dragons in storybooks.
"Yep"
With the children distracted, Vana ordered drinks to be brought for the adult guests before excusing herself to check on Dracula who she found angrily grabbing a crystal ball from the highest shelf.
"Dracula, it isn't a big deal," Vana tried to reason but Dracula wasn't listening.
"Maleficent!" he screamed at the dark fae in the crystal ball, "How dare you!"
Maleficent could only laugh. To her it was a most amusing situation, "Give me one good reason Christina couldn't have a dragon"
"Because I said no-"
"I think," Maleficent cut him off, "You said no because of the connection to me, you said no because it scares you, deep, deep down to acknowledge that Christina is a dark fae," Maleficent smiled, "You should know better than anyone Dracula, Light or Dark is how we're born, Good or Evil is a choice besides, it should be clear to you by now that Christina takes after her mother, born of the purest true love"
"Still-"
"Dracula," Vana sat on the other side of the desk, "Stop, you know she's right"
"Vhat? Christina doesn't need a dragon! She has enough animals!"
"Vhy did you buy that kitten?"
"Because Christina vas asking for a pet and Draculaura-"
"Christina vas asking for a dragon," Vana pointed out, "Alvays a dragon, not a dog, not a cat, a dragon you could've easily given her a teacup dragon and she vould have been thrilled"
"You bought her that blasted dragon book-"
"She asked for it because of her mother! All those pictures of Alissa in the dragon stables made her curious and you've never dismissed her curiosity before that's vhy she's taking piano lessons, that's vhy you bought her a sketchbook so she'd stop doodling on the valls!"
Dracula was stunned into silence, sourly realizing that Vana had a point. He'd never stopped the girls from exploring. Draculaura had a fledgling interest in storytelling so he bought her all kinds of picture books and notebooks to practice her handwriting, she loved clothes so he let her read the fashion magazines, and got her a subscription to every single child-friendly one he could find. Even baby Sibella was given every toy she took an interest in. Her favorite was a pink plush bat that she toddled around with, never putting it down.
He was backed into a corner.
Maleficent smirked at him, "You should get used to it, Dracula animals will always be attracted to Christina they're better judges of character than you or I could ever be, good night"
Dracula felt like screaming.
...
Compared to the prior school year first grade although fun was somewhat dull. The same routine every day, The wolves accompanied Christina wherever she went, a mini pack of bodyguards. After school, everyone flocked to Dracula castle to play until their respective parents brought them home for dinner. Much to Dracula's dismay, Drew had returned, weaseling his way back into the group and while Dracula may have disliked Christina's dragon he kept Drew from hurting her.
It wasn't until October that something really happened. Shaggy inexplicably fell ill. What his parents had initially thought was allergies developed into a cold before becoming something much, much worse. Shaggy was bedridden unable to keep anything down with a raging fever to boot. Even more confusing was the effect that it had on Christina who became worried and withdrawn, begging to visit Shaggy every day. Finally, one sleeting Saturday Dracula relented allowing Christina to go. He'd wanted to drive her but Christina in her immense excitement and relief managed to transport herself there, still clutching the magical botany book she'd been reading.
She was briefly startled, shivering a little as she looked around. The grounds around the Rogers mansion were nicely landscaped with seasonal flowers a nice contrast to the otherwise gray surroundings. Pretty Christina thought, knocking on the doors.
"Christina!" Stacy exclaimed opening the door.
"Hello, Mrs, Rogers, may I visit Shaggy, please?"
"You have perfect timing," Stacy laughed, "Come in, I have a meeting I can't put off and no one to stay with Norville"
"Where's Sugie?"
"Out for a daddy-daughter day," Stacy guided the little hybrid upstairs, "Norville hasn't been able to sleep so he's out of it but if you could just sit with him, if anything happens call the Steins, okay? You remember where the phone is?"
"There's one in the hall next to your room and one in the kitchen"
"Good job"
It broke Christina's heart to see her friend when Stacy pushed open the door. Shaggy was wrapped in six quilts in his race car-shaped bed but he still shook with chills, white as a sheet with bleary bloodshot eyes unable to focus on the Tom And Jerry cartoon on the TV.
"Norville," Stacy called in the brightest voice she could manage, "Look who's come to visit"
Shaggy tried to greet his friend only to be overcome by a massive coughing fit that had his mother rushing forward to rub his back.
"Hi, Shaggy, hi Scooby," Christina greeted them both, spying the Great Dane snuggled beside Shaggy.
"Christina's going to keep you company while I go to a meeting, okay?"
Shaggy nodded slowly.
"I love you"
What Stacy didn't tell the children was that if Shaggy got any worse he would have to be rushed to the clinic. It worried her greatly and with this meeting to frazzle her nerves because of course they didn't understand the severity of the situation she wanted to rip her hair out. With a quick worried glance and a promise to be back soon, she headed out fully intending to rip everyone apart for forcing her to leave her son.
Christina pulled over a bean bag chair and set her book on top of the shelf by the bedroom door.
"Ch-Christy"
"No, no, no, you don't have to talk to me, Shaggy," Christina fretted.
Shaggy pulled his arm out from under the blanket, grabbing Christina's hand before she could protest, and turning to face her, "Warm," he rasped, weakly squeezing her hand.
"Me?"
"Mm-hum"
Christina didn't know how that was possible. While not ice-cold like most vampires she was always cold to the touch, evidenced by the way her friends would startle if she snuck up on them. Figuring it was the fever or the lack of sleep she let it go,
"I knew...you'd...come...soon"
"Shh, how about I tell you a story?"
"Mm"
...
Alissa angrily paced her prison, her mind weighed with worry. What no one knew was that Regina was to blame for Shaggy's illness. Angered by how close Christina and Shaggy were, the conniving vampire witch had snuck toxic wolfbane flowers into the Roger's garden. If they weren't destroyed soon Shaggy would die but what could she do? Even though her jailer was a lazy sort, content to sleep most of the time she couldn't do anything too obvious or she'd risk a lashing.
I have to do something!
But what? What could she do from behind this accursed glass?
...
"I don't know what to do, Vincent!" Stacy almost sobbed, driving to her meeting.
"Shaggy's only gotten worse?"
"Sam's talking about taking him to the clinic, I-I-I-"
"Shh, shh, breathe, where is Shaggy now?"
"At home, Christina's sitting with him she knows to call if something happens"
"By themselves?"
"I-i didn't think I just- will she catch what he has? Oh, my gosh-"
"I'll head over and keep an eye on them, okay?"
"Thank you"
...
When Vincent arrived in a burst of smoke he found Christina singing a lullaby, wiping the sweat from Shaggy's face with a cold rag. The sight made him stop in thought. He'd visited Dracula only two days prior and Christina had been so closed off, sitting by the window studying her magic. According to Dracula, that's all she had been doing overcome with worry for her friend. Now, however, she was noticeably calm, composed with a patience beyond her six years of age. Visiting Shaggy the week prior it struck him how sickly he was, unhappily crying with delirium.
He was asking for Christina, Vincent realized recalling how his nephew had been begging for something but was unable to explain what he wanted. Stacy had run herself ragged trying to comfort Shaggy.
Shaggy was in much the same condition now but he was holding Christina's hand, eyes following her every movement since he couldn't talk.
"Hello, children," Vincent softly spoke drawing their attention.
"Hello, Mr, Van Ghoul," Christina quietly greeted, glancing at him over her shoulder.
Shaggy moved slightly, overcome by another coughing fit.
"No, no,," Christina dropped her rag, rubbing Shaggy's back before adjusting the stack of pillows, "It's okay, better?"
"Mm-hum"
Christina dropped back into the bean bag chair, squeezing his hand.
With nothing to do except to watch the kids, Vincent took a seat in the desk chair, silently worrying. Several quiet minutes passed the only noise to be heard was the cartoon on TV. Shaggy eventually fell into a fitful sleep, still holding Christina's hand.
"Christina, you can let go," Vincent whispered curious as to what she would say.
"No," she whispered in reply, "He'll wake up again, he fell asleep when I told him a story but when tried to let go he woke up"
"He must not want you to leave"
"I don't wanna go either, I missed him"
"You did?"
"He's my very best friend, don't tell the others"
"Your secret is safe with me"
...
Meanwhile, the rest of the children had gathered at Dracula castle per usual. Drew was last to arrive searching for Christina. When he couldn't find her. He demanded to know where she was.
"Christina's visiting Shaggy," Melinda explained, "I'm sure she'll come home later"
"But, but she knew we were coming!" Drew yelled, "She knew I was coming!" he whirled spotting the Hunch Bunch, "BRING HER HOME NOW!"
"We don't take orders from you," Brunch replied.
"Don't be mean," Melinda added.
"I want Christina!" Drew pouted.
"She's not here," Duncan stepped into the room, "Are you going to watch the movie with us or not?"
"I'm waiting for Christina," Drew crossed his arms, jumping into the nearest chair.
"Melinda?" Duncan turned to the little witch, "How about you?"
"I'm picking up banana peels"
"You don't have to," Brunch insisted, "We'll do it"
"No, I want to do it, they're my monkeys, my responsibility" to Duncan she said, "I'll be there soon"
"Okay," Duncan shrugged heading back into the den.
Drew watched Melinda's every movement with a superior smirk, waiting until the Hunch Bunch left to say anything. "Monkey girl"
"Excuse me?" Melinda whipped around, "What did you just call me?"
"You heard me," Drew airily replied, "Monkey maid girl, you're only here to make the family look good and you know it"
"I am here because they wanted me"
"To make themselves look good, Christina only tolerates you, you know, you're so far beneath her, little orphan monkey maid girl"
"Shut up"
"Or what? You'll tattle on me, no one's going to believe you"
Melinda saw red. Dropping the trash bag full of banana peels she threw out her hands watching in amazement as the angry orange fireballs flew toward Drew, pinning him to the wall.
"I said SHUT UP YOU SPOILED ENTITLED MEAN STUPID BULLY!" she shrieked, pummeling him, shaking with anger heedless of the angry hot tears that sizzled down her cheeks, "I AM HERE BECAUSE THEY'RE ADOPTING ME! I AM HERE BECAUSE THEY WANT ME! I AM HERE BECAUSE THEY'RE MY FAMILY! CHRISTINA LOVES ME. SHE SAYS I'M HER SISTER AND SHE'S GLAD I'M HERE. YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHAT WAS LIKE IN OZ. YOU KNOW NOTHING!"
Dracula had long since arrived pulling the flailing Melinda off of Drew, and passing her to Vana while he marched Drew outside to await his mother.
"Shh, shh, shh, Melinda," Vana tried to soothe, "It's okay, it's okay, stop crying, you're hurting yourself"
"I-I-I c-c-c-c-cant help it," Melinda sobbed, "He was so meeeaaaaannnn"
"I know," Vana sat down, "I'm sorry"
"Meow" Shadow jumped from her hiding place to curl up beside her little mistress while Numbskull quietly pulled the trash bag full of banana peels away.
The rest of the children curiously poked their heads into the room, rushing to surround their friend until she cried herself to sleep feeling drained.
...
Back at the Roger's mansion, Christina was almost asleep herself as was Vincent when the window inexplicably burst open with a cold wind. Startled, Vincent hopped to his feet to shut the window.
"Christy," Shaggy whined.
"It's okay," Christina replied, "I'm just grabbing my book from the floor"
The book had fallen open making her pause when she saw the plant on the page, "What?"
"What's the matter, Christina?"
"This flower," she showed the book to Vincent, "It's the same one in the garden" lowering her voice, "It's dangerous for werewolves, that's why he's sick, look it's all right here"
Vincent school his features to hide his shock, "Can I borrow the book, I'll take care of it"
Christina handed it over without a word, returning to Shaggy's side.
...
"What the heck are you doing to my garden?" Stacy shrieked with horror when she pulled up an hour and a half later.
More than half the flowers were burning in concentrated magic flames down to their roots.
"Stacy who does your yard?" Vincent answered the question with one of his own.
"We hire a landscaping company, what are you doing?"
"Look," Vincent flipped open the magical botany book, "Those are wolfbane flowers they would have killed Shaggy"
"Oh my," she clapped a hand over her mouth, "Thank you-"
"Don't thank me, it's Christina's book, she discovered it"
"Get rid of them, get rid of them all!"
Throwing her purse aside Stacy hurried upstairs stopping short before Shaggy's door.
"Stay," Shaggy mumbled, as Christina was wiping the sweat from his face again.
"That's up to your mommy and daddy,"
"I...want...you...stay" Shaggy drifted off to sleep again.
He's sleeping! He hasn't slept in days!
...
So, Christina spent the night. Never leaving Shaggy's side for more than a moment. Sleeping on a pallet beside his bed, her hand in his. Early the next morning Stacy peeked into the room almost ready to weep. The color was returning to Shaggy's face, he wasn't sweating anymore. He woke up, looking at her.
"Mommy," he whispered.
"What is it baby?"
"I'm hungry"
"You are?"
"Can I have something to eat?"
"yes, baby, I'll go get some food"
While not a hundred percent better Shaggy was much more alert, sitting up in bed, talking and laughing with Christina. He kept down everything that he ate much to his parent's relief. He stayed home the following week just to be sure.
But the week after:
...
Halloween New Salem Spellementary School, 1st-grade classroom
Christina was helping Melinda draw a jack-o-lantern when she was suddenly knocked out of her chair.
"CHRISTY!" Shaggy was squeezing the life out of his friend.
"Shaggy!" Christina was just as happy to see her friend, as the rest of their friends rushed to gather around them. "You're all better!"
"Like, all thanks to you!", he gushed, hugging her. Christina blushed at his gratitude, remembering the odd events leading to Shaggy's cure. She still could not figure out how the wind had knocked her book to the right page when it fell.
"Christina!", Drew called as he bounded in, his smiling mother right behind. "I can't wait to show you my costume...for...tonight?...", he trailed off in shock & disbelief at seeing Shaggy not only back, but in perfect health...and unfolded in the arms of HIS princess! Regina Bathory's smile quickly fell and was replaced by a mild scowl that masked her absolute rage! HOW?!
"Hi, Drew," Christina smiled, still hugging Shaggy, "Happy birthday"
Drew forced a smile, "Thank you"
There had been a rocky few days the week prior when Christina learned what Drew had said to Melinda but he managed to weasel his way back into her good graces by begging for an apology from Melinda. Christina would never be able to shake him.
"Oh," Shaggy suddenly remembered, releasing Christina to open his discarded backpack, "Like, I got you something"
"Shaggy..."
"No take backs," Shaggy bounded over with a box.
Slowly, Christina pulled the ribbon off, winding it around her fingers before opening the box, "Oh, it's so pretty"
Inside the box rested a bracelet with a single butterfly charm.
"It's a charm bracelet," Shaggy beamed, "It's big right now so you can wear it when you grow up and you can like, add to it"
Drew had a hard time schooling his features. He was supposed to be her favorite. Her very best friend! Instead, he was forced into the background watching the teacher help Christina put her bracelet on.
This was awful!
...
Meanwhile, in her mirror prison, Alissa couldn't keep the smile from her face. Thanks to Christina's little training mirror she had a 24/7 window on her daughter. She knew what the other adults were denying that Shaggy and Christina had imprinted on each other as had Draculaura with Clawd and Clawdeen with Duncan. How could they not see it? The children were always together but when they broke off into pairs it was always these pairs to the point of coordinating costumes. Clawd was continuing his sports theme, this year he was a Casketball player, and Draculaura was a cheerleader to match. Clawdeen had designed her own Cinderella dress, and Duncan had agreed to be the Prince which upset Amora at first but she had decided on being a black cat. The only pair who didn't have matching costumes were Shaggy and Christina because of his illness but that didn't stop Shaggy from gushing over the costume Christina described.
He'll protect her
This was what Alissa had worried about in silence. Drew wasn't much trouble now but his mother's influence was clear in how he interacted with Christina, always fighting to be right next to her, always wanting to control the situation, hurting Christina when he got upset with her, and never listening to what she wanted.
But, Shaggy.
Shaggy always listened, always shared, and always wanted to hear what she had to say. Even recovering from his sickness he'd insisted Christina choose what they watched. Asked her what story she wanted to tell. Sometimes when Alissa knew Christina was safe and happy, she would watch Shaggy instead. He always trailed after his mother or leafed through the cookbooks in the kitchen. He was extremely gentle with his baby sister, guiding her through baby puzzles and playing dress up with her.
She'll be safe.
Still, I have to reach her.
...
A few years later.
Christina tossed and turned in bed. She could hear something very faintly. It was meant for her but she didn't understand.
Then she fell face first out of bed, tangled in her bed curtains.
"Oww"
"Christina? Melinda popped in coughing a little on the lingering smoke, "You're not up yet?"
"I am now," the hybrid untangled herself, "I'll be ready in a few minutes,"
The nine-year-old shakily rose to her feet, wandering in a sleepy daze to her closet, greeting her pets as she passed by them. Some like Ace or Shade yawned and went back to sleep but the wolves stood one by one to trail after her while Prince despite his size climbed onto her shoulder.
"You're getting to heavy for this," she informed the dragon who licked her face, "I love you too"
From her closet, she pulled a pretty purple dress with black trim, green leggings, and, polished black flats. With a snap of her fingers she was dressed after making sure the clothes weren't on inside-out or backward (it happened sometimes much to her disappointment) Christina took a seat at her vanity table brushing out her hair while making funny faces at herself in the butterfly-shaped mirror. Beside the large mirror was her training hand mirror.
I hope I can have a bigger one soon.
Glancing at the smaller mirror she startled. That wasn't her reflection. There was a stranger in the glass, smiling up at her. Her knees banged the table causing the mirror to fall from its place when she picked it back up she was greeted by her own face.
I'm just sleepy.
...
She Saw Me! Alissa felt like dancing though she forced herself to be still. Night after night over the years when the guard was undeniably asleep Alissa had used her limited magic to reach out to Christina through her dreams but it was unclear if she was making any progress. She had taken a chance in using her powers so openly to try and be seen but as brief as it was Christina had seen her. It was a tiny victory but ever so slowly she was getting through.
...
"Christy," Duncan lightly poked her with a pencil to get her attention as they sat at their desks, "Are you okay?"
"I'm just a little sleepy," Christina muffled a yawn, fidgeting with her charm bracelet distractedly.
"Like, you didn't have a nightmare did you?" Shaggy worried.
"No, I'm okay, Shaggy" Christina smiled.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes"
"Okay," Shaggy's shoulders sagged in relief, "Like, did you get a new charm?"
"Yeah," Christina lifted the bracelet so he could see.
Since she'd gotten the bracelet four more charms had been added. A dog, a wand, an open book, and now a dragon.
"I like it!"
"Kids," the teacher stepped into the classroom as the morning bell rung, "Eyes to the front please, take out your journals, let's get started"
...
"Whee, look at me!" Melinda hung upside down on the jungle gym.
"How did you do that?" Draculaura scrambled to the top, "Show me!"
"Okay, it's easy"
Melinda would be the first to admit she'd been scared when she first came to live in the monster world but now she couldn't imagine anything else. Officially adopted into the Dracula family after a year she felt safe and loved. It had been weird at first, what was she supposed to call the vampires who so easily welcomed her into their home? Eventually, she settled on addressing them as Christina did, Aunt Vana and Uncle Dracula as opposed to Mom and Dad. And while Melinda tended to but heads with Drew the other children were her best friends.
"Christy," Drew wandered the playground, passing by the jungle gym, "Where are you? Come out, come out right now"
Melinda stifled a laugh. Christina was sitting under the tree where she'd gotten her wolves with her nose in a mystery story. Shaggy and Scooby were next to her, each reading over her shoulder curious to know who the culprit was.
Duncan, Clawd, Clawdeen, and Amora meanwhile were kicking a ball around, paying Drew no mind even as he demanded to know Christina's whereabouts.
"Are you sure you don't want to be a cheerleader, Melinda?" Cleo called, looking over her sunglasses, "We'll be in middle school soon and I'll be captain of the team"
"I'm good Cleo, I think I'll stick to music"
"Suit yourself," Cleo smiled.
I love it here.
...
"He's going to hurt them!" Shaggy gripped Christina's shoulder.
"Shh, just wait"
"Christina!" Drew found them, "I was calling for you! You should have come out"
"I'm sorry, Drew," Christina set her book down, "But I didn't hear you-"
"Come play on the swings with me," Drew grabbed her arm to tug her to her feet.
"I don't want to play on the swings Drew, we're trying to finish the book-"
"You can do that later, come on"
"I said no, please let go, you're hurting me"
"Christy-"
"She said let go," Shaggy popped to his feet, pulling Drew off of Christina, "She like, doesn't have to play with you if she doesn't want to"
"I didn't ask you," Drew ground his fangs, swinging his fist, "Go away"
Shaggy jumped away, "DON'T HIT ME!"
"You're not the boss of me!"
When he tried to swing again he was picked up by the tree, wrapped so tightly in its branches that his arms were pinned to his sides. Christina looked up at him, her wand clutched tightly in her hand, its tip blazing brightly, "Calm down!" she ordered, "You can't hit people when you get mad"
"Put me down, put me down right now!"
"No, you hurt me and you tried to hurt Shaggy, you're staying up there so you can think about what you did," Christina clasped Shaggy's hand, "Let's go play with your cousins, okay?"
"Good idea, come on"
Scooby, Jade, and Fluffy quickly followed but Thunder stopped and stuck his tongue out at Drew before scampering off.
"Room for us?" Shaggy squeezed between his cousins, watching the bright red ball roll past.
"Yeah," the wolf twins nodded.
"Christy, your arm's turning colors," Amora exclaimed, "Did Drew hurt you again? Where is he? I'll-"
"Easy, easy Amora," Christina pulled her back, "He's taken care of"
"Oh no he isn't!" Amora crossed her arms angrily, "He ALWAYS hurts you when he doesn't get his way!"
"He just doesn't know any better," Christina responded matter-a-factually, "His parents split, remember?"
"That was earlier this year, it doesn't explain all those other times"
"I'm okay. Please calm down"
"I think Drew should've went with his dad and brother to Transylvania," Clawdeen declared.
"He said he didn't want his mom to be lonely"
"Whatever," Duncan had retrieved the ball, "Are we playing again or not?"
"Yes, please"
They talked as they played.
"So, how's the support group going?" Clawd asked his cousin.
"Eh," Shaggy shrugged, "We like, just talk about our feelings"
"They're giving us journals soon," Christina added.
"Yeah, so we can do homework," Duncan snorted, "No fun"
"It's better then piano lessons," Christina declared, "My teacher thinks I'm faking when I tell him I only need to hear a song once, he struck my hand with a ruler yesterday"
"Did you tell Uncle Dracula?"
"I didn't have to, he saw it and fired him"
"That's the third teacher you've had"
"Uncle Dracula says if I can learn a Disney song on my own he won't make me take any more lessons so Aunt Vana got me a songbook"
"I know you can do it, Christy," Shaggy smiled, "OH, look what I learned to do!"
Stepping to the edge of the casketball court, Shaggy laid his hand on the on the ground, squeezing his eyes shut he concentrated, letting his magic seep into the soil. The others watched as a flower slowly twisted its way out of the ground.
Christina clapped, "Awesome"
"For you," he handed her the little pink rose, "I like, know you could already-"
"Thank you," she hugged him careful not to crush the bloom, "It takes a lot of focus to do that"
Shaggy turned as red as the ball the others were still kicking around.
...
After recess was quiet reading time, the kids quietly filed into the room, Drew sourly at the end of the line unable to reach Christina whose wolves formed a wall around her and although she wasn't supposed to bring her dragon to school Drew could see it watching him from her messenger bag which had been magicked to be bottomless, able to carry whatever she might need. Sitting at their desks, the class pulled out their books, a theme evident. Christina, Clawdeen, Duncan, and Shaggy were all reading different kinds of mystery books. By contrast, Amora had a horror book, Melinda and Draculaura had adventure stories and Drew was lazily staring at a comic.
"Psst, Christina," Shaggy whispered.
Christina glanced at him over the top of her book.
"Like, do you have another book? I finished mine"
Without saying a word Christina passed him another book. The same one they'd been reading at recess, the girl on the cover standing on a dark staircase looking at something the reader couldn't see The Curse Of Ravenscourt in white letters above her.
"Thank you,"
"They're talking!" Drew tattled standing.
"I was like, only asking Christy if she had an extra book," Shaggy defended, holding up the books as proof, the blue falcon and dynomutt mystery had evidently seen better days.
"You could've gotten another book from the class library," the teacher indicated the small shelves under the chalkboard.
"I like Christina's books, they're interesting." Shaggy shrugged.
"Well, as long as you keep quiet I'll let it slide"
Drew slumped with a pout. He was sure Shaggy would've gotten in trouble. He deserved to get in trouble after keeping him away from Christina during recess.
"Not fair"
"Shh"
Not fair at all!
...
"How was school today?" Dracula asked the kids after school that day.
"It was good," Christina smiled.
"Vhat happened to your arm?"
"Drew hurt her again," Amora spat.
"He went home," Christina quickly added, "I'm okay, I promise, may we go play outside after our snack?"
"You may, after you feed your babies"
"Okay," Christina hurried upstairs while her friends rushed to the dining room to devour apples and Little Debbie treats.
"Christy!" Sibella was sitting on the floor of her bedroom petting Ace when she opened the door.
"Bella, are you being gentle?" Christina dropped her messenger bag, hugging her littlest cousin.
"Yeah, I like Ace"
"I've got to take care of the animals, okay? Go downstairs and you can eat a snack with the others"
"Okay"
Prince waited until Christina's back was turned to slither out of the messenger bag, nodding secretly to the wolves before launching himself onto Christina's shoulder and pushing Shade out of his spot. The raven cawed indignantly at the injustice before sitting on Christina's other shoulder.
"Did you two have a good day?"
the duo nodded, hopping down to eat.
"Be good, okay?"
...
Back downstairs they were just finishing their snack when the dining room door opened.
"Big Brother!" Sugie cried being led in by the Hunch Bunch.
"Sugie?" Shaggy tightly hugged the crying girl, "Like, what's the matter?" Sugie normally stayed at home with their Mom after school. Something had to be wrong for her to be here.
Sugie was crying so hard she couldn't explain herself. Not knowing what else to do, Shaggy helped her onto a chair beside his, Clawd offering the remaining zebra cake from his snack but Sugie ignored it entirely still clinging helplessly to her big brother.
"Sugie?" Christina had arrived, offering her a tissue that was shakily accepted, "Do you want to come play outside with us? You can borrow my old skates"
"Skates?"
"Yeah, do you know how to skate?"
"No"
"I'll like, teach you," Shaggy wiped the last of her tears away.
"Promise?"
"Yes, Sugie, I promise"
So, the kids headed outside, each strapping on a pair of rollerskates they'd carried in their backpacks. Happy to be outside with the sunshine on their faces and without Drew to boss them around. Bypassing the swing set they rushed for the foam-walled obstacle course the boys had begged for after sitting ringside at a local scream match. Dracula's estate was the only home big enough for it so he'd been happy to set it up, grateful for anything to wear the children who practically lived at his castle out. Duncan and Clawd rock-paper-scissored for the leader position, Clawd winning much to Amora's disappointment. Nonetheless, she got into starting position alongside Clawdeen and waited for the go, signal. Out of the corner of her eye, she spotted Shaggy helping Sugie into Christina's old pink skates, slowly pulling her to her feet before guiding her in a little circle on the basketball court.
"Go!"
Clawdeen was off like a shot leaving Amora in the dust by the time she entered the course Clawdeen was already leaping the hurdles without breaking a sweat. When Amora tried she faceplanted but quickly scrambled to her feet choosing to fly instead.
"That's cheating!" Draculaura called.
"But, it works!"
The perky pink vampire rolled her eyes. That was Amora willing to do whatever it took to win. Draculaura preferred a slower pace, hopping the smaller hurdles with her arms stuck out to balance. She didn't want to rip her new shirt with its glittery bats that she had just gotten the week prior on her monthly shopping trip with her mom.
"Good job, Laura," Clawdeen hugged her when she finally exited the course.
"Thanks, Clawdeen, I like your helment, did you design that?"
Clawdeen's initials were painted in purple on the black helmet with a gold moon cycle surrounding it.
"Yeah," Clawdeen beamed, "Mom helped me paint it"
"It looks nice"
Clawdeen had only recently been allowed to do small sewing and designing projects on her own after scraping together the money to buy a small used sewing machine. Since then she couldn't be stopped, embroidering her tops, sewing a skirt here, a pair of leggings, or a jacket there. Now, she was designing for her friends though she had yet to make the clothing. It was a large undertaking and she was still trying to convince her parents to let her do it. But, she knew she could. She wanted to more than anything! She had designed the perfect floppy sunhat for Draculaura. It was going to be black with a large pink and white bow. Perfect to shade her during the summer. For Duncan she wanted to try hand painting a leather jacket, he'd seen a similar one in one of her magazines and taken an interest in it. But she had to convince her parents first.
"Good job, Sugie! Like, I'm going to let go okay?"
"No, no no,"
"Okay"
"You can do it, Sugie" Christina encouraged, skating backward in front of the siblings, "I know it's hard at first but you've got to try," she held out her hands, "Try to come to me"
Sugie slowly let go of her brother's hands, focusing on her feet she slowly worked her way forward, wobbling all the way. When she was almost there she fell onto her bottom.
"Oww"
"It was a good try," Shaggy smiled, "Like, let's try again"
"Okay"
This time Sugie made it.
"YAY!" the other kids took a break from their obstacle course to applaud.
"Can I do it again?" Sugie wanted to know.
"Of course you can!"
Clawdeen and Clawd skated over, "Bet you can't catch me!" Clawd teased while Clawdeen took Sugie's hand.
"Yes we can, can't we Sugie?" Clawdeen encouraged.
"Yeah!" she fist-pumped with her free hand.
"You're a good big brother," Christina whispered to Shaggy.
"I like, try to be"
Truthfully, Shaggy hardly remembered what it was like to be an only child. Besides, Sugie made him laugh. He was happy to play with her even if it meant playing princesses or baby dolls. Sugie tended to follow behind him, whenever he was at home. In the last year, she'd joined him and their mother in the kitchen eager to help her big brother with dinner or making his lunch. Sometimes, Shaggy opened his lunch box to find a note written in her shaky six-year-old handwriting reminding him that he was helping with dinner and that she loved him. Shaggy saved every single note in the front pocket of his school binder alongside his recipe ideas scrawled in red crayon.
It had taken a lot of convincing but Shaggy was allowed to cook his own meals with minimal supervision now. The picture books in his bedroom had been replaced by child-friendly cookbooks, his favorite recipes dog-eared. A list of all his friend's favorite foods was taped on the wall beside the shelf, surrounded by various pictures from their 'adventures'.
"Look at me, look at me!" Sugie was laughing now.
"Nice job," Christina had worn herself out. Settling down with a Nancy Drew book.
It had only been a few months prior that she and her friends had discovered the overlapping interest in mystery books. When the quiet reading time was announced that day they'd all pulled out the exact same book Encyclopedia Brown, Boy Detective.
"Why didn't anyone tell me we were matching books?" Drew had demanded.
"It wasn't intentional, Drew," Christina had sweetly explained, offering the second book to him but he'd refused.
They'd had great fun, sitting at recess for several following weeks swapping books and trying to solve the mysteries within them. Drew had joined them at first but when it was discovered he was reading the answers before the stories he'd decided the game was boring and began trying to pull Christina away but the hybrid refused, standing her ground as Duncan and Shaggy forced him to leave. It wasn't too much longer before Christina had moved on to other books, Cam Janson, Nancy Drew the Hardy Boys. Lately, she'd been enthralled by American Girl History Mysteries while Shaggy had only just finished Encyclopedia Brown and had moved on to the newly discovered Blue Falcon and Dynomutt mysteries that his father had bought a boxful of.
"Christy?" Duncan was standing before her, yanking her from her book.
"Yeah?"
"Do you think your uncle will let us look at the race cars?"
"Can we?" Shaggy asked excitedly.
"I'll go ask but we can't all go in the garage"
"That's okay" Clawd rolled to a stop, "I want to see if I can make a basket on skates"
"You'll hurt yourself!" Melinda declared, dribbling the casketball.
"Nuh-huh" Clawd insisted.
As Clawd had grown his interest in sports had intensified. Baseball, Casketball, Scream, Football. It didn't matter what it was he could effortlessly recite the stats, rules, and records for each. Lately, his interest had become combining sports with the dream of creating something new with little success and many a trip to the clinic.
"Are you going to be okay with Clawdeen if I like, go with Christy?" Shaggy stopped to ask his sister.
"Yeah," she nodded.
So, Duncan, Christina, and, Shaggy discarded their skates and ran inside bursting into Dracula's study without knocking.
"Uncle Dracula may we-"
"Look at-"
"The race cars?"
"Vell," Dracula rubbed his chin in thought, "I suppose"
"YES YES YES"
The three thundered outside sliding to a stop in front of the garage door. Anxiously waiting for Dracula to arrive.
"Are we gonna look at the cars?" Amora flew over, throwing her helmet to the ground her skates already there.
"Yes, Amora," Dracula laughed, opening the garage door, "Remeber no-"
"Touching anything, the garage is not a playground," the kids chorused
"That's right"
Amora dragged Duncan to the back of the garage to examine the trophy shelves Shaggy meanwhile went to look at his uncle's car but Christina, Christina headed for the shadowed corner of the garage with Dracula following.
"When can I race?" she asked quietly.
"Vhen you have a lisensce," Dracula replied.
"Can I see it?"
"Sure," Dracula flipped on the lights with one hand, pulling the heavy tarp off the covered vehicle with the other.
Dracula's pristine motorcycle gleamed under the bright lights.
"Why don't you drive it anymore?"
"I don't have time anymore"
"Can we ride it?" Amora was suddenly beside them.
"No, maybe some day"
"I'm going to when the race when I'm grown up!" Amora confidently declared, striking a winner's pose.
"Like, I wouldn't be too sure," Shaggy called.
"Yeah," Duncan laughed, "I might win!"
"If you do I'll give you a kiss," Amora batted her eyes, "Mwah!" she blew him a kiss.
"Yucky"
Maybe one day, maybe I'll win, Christina thought to herself.
...
That night Christina tossed and turned once more even as Prince slept on top of her with Ace and Shade on either side. They'd grown used to her tossing and turning. Her dreams were hazy but she inexplicably felt safe even though it was an endless void.
"Christina"
"Christina, come find me, please I miss you"
"Where are you? Who are you?" she called only to hear her voice echo back at her.
"I miss you"
...
Okay, good stopping place I think. Side note, the American Girl mysteries are probably my very favorite thing being a very avid collector. The Curse Of Ravenscourt is my FAVORITE Mystery ever and I just had to include it A big thank you to my friend, DRAGONDAVE45 for all his help. I hope you all enjoyed please review and predict!